The state failed to subpoena the primary witnesses for the Enyobeni tavern inquest set to proceed for the whole of this week.
Scenery Park tavern owners, Vuyokazi and Siyakhangela Ndevu did not show up in the Mdantsane Regional Court.
The inquest was finally meant to begin, almost two years after 21 young children attending a DJ’s birthday party died in their tavern under circumstances not yet known.
Their defence attorney, Precious Daniels, said she had not consulted with the couple since the end of their trial in February when they were found guilty of selling liquor to underage persons and fined R5 000 each.
She also said the Ndevus had not financially instructed her, and that she was uncertain if she was still their legal counsel in the matter.
Monday, an Eastern Cape Liquor Board representative, Pumlani Tyali, was meant to testify, along with former employee and person of interest, Thembisa Diko.
Board spokesperson, Dr Mgwebi Msiya, said they had a keen interest in the matter.
“We are looking forward to the testimony of our senior manager, [Tyali].
"Our interest is to see this process coming to an end with a clear punishment for the liquor traders. We hope they get the necessary sentence.”
Dr Msiya also said they want more punitive measures to be incorporated into the legislature as sanctions against liquor traders selling to underage children.
Meanwhile, during the Ndevu trial, former bouncer, Diko testified that she had abandoned her post at the door of the tavern to join the party inside after an uncontrollable crowd was pushing to get in.
Diko admitted she had also pepper sprayed and held the door shut from outside, to control the crowd pulling on the door to get out.
This was around the time the patrons started suffocating from an unknown substance inside the tavern, witnesses testified.
The disappointment was palpable in court, as parents seeking closure were turned away yet again.
They feel the state is not treating the matter with utmost seriousness.
Father to one of the deceased, Khululekile Ncandana: “We are very disappointed.
"The state was meant to finalize everything before we come to court, and now the failure on their part is causing further delays in the justice for broken-hearted parents.”
The next date for the inquest is set for 10 May.
More than 30 witnesses are expected to take the stand.
